Public Invited to Attend a Community Forum Thursday Night in Anchorage

Anchorage – In 2017, the Alaska Office of Children’s Services received 50 reports of child abuse a day. Additionally, a study of adverse childhood experiences determined that childhood trauma is far more common and more expensive, than previously realized both nationally and in Alaska. The impact of this trauma affects individuals over a lifetime and societies over generations. Understanding trauma and ways to repair harm are critical for helping children succeed, and for preventing a school to prison pipeline.

Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), Senator Tom Begich (D-Anchorage), and the Anchorage School District will host a community forum Thursday, November 29 at the Mountain View Library to discuss restorative justice principles.

The principles of restorative justice, whether used in schools or the courts, are grounded in the traditional practices of indigenous cultures to value respect, compassion, dignity, and inclusion for all members of the community.

Thursday’s community forum will feature a national speaker trained in restorative justice school-based practices and a local speaker involved in building life skills for re-entering society after serving time in prison.

“Learning how to build, sustain, and repair relationships is vitally important for people to heal from their trauma. Restorative justice uses proven techniques to help victims of trauma become more productive members of society,” said Rep. Tarr.